WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE? ANSWERS TO COMMON WOES!!

While ironing my outfit for work, it occurred to me that complaints in life can be answered by "What's the Alternative?" One day last week, a male family member was complaining about old age in reference to his family member. My response was what's the alternative- your family member would be dead! So what would you want? My husband is an amazing cook but the kitchen looks like a war zone when he is finished. As the sous chef, it is my job to clean it from one end to the other. Sometimes it is very annoying as I would rather use my spare time differently. However, good food, good company outweighs the annoyance! My little grandchildren visit and love to do crafts. So of course my neat piles of coloured paper, stock paper and other supplies are usually in disarray when they leave. An hour or so of cleanup or reorganizing but what's the alternative- to nag them, don't touch, leave my stuff alone or allowing their creative process! Their visits and overnight sleepovers are part of the family experience! A relationship with them outweighs the mess! Festive family dinners now have a plastic or for this Easter a nice paper tablecloth. If spills happen no problem, the surface doesn't matter! Making alternatives that work for family or social situations help to survive annoying occurrences. At work, I love my quiet time at lunch especially when I sit outside on my special bench watching people go by in the warmer months. It would be more exciting to be downtown, what an experience that would be. But my alternative is small town watching people come and go from the hospital. Sometimes a colleague who likes the same conversation joins me! If one does not like their job, what's the alternative? To be out of work or perhaps time for a home business? Or even retirement! Turning the ideas or thoughts in another direction allow the realization that the alternative may not be what is wanted. For example, I am much neater than my husband, always have been. But many years ago, I decided my house will never be as neat as I want it to be! I would rather have him, than an immaculate home! Tidy, clean but with messy corners!  So as you go through your day with all it can bring which often for human beings include complaints! Wake up and ask "What's the Alternative?" It may surprise everyone that it not what would be needed or wanted!

GETTING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF A PROBLEM

Are you ever stuck on how to solve a problem? Think of your options. Trouble choosing which one. Ruminating and pondering. Then the light bulb goes off and the solution presents itself. Life can have many problems or concerns or dilemmas. Often the solutions are straight forward. But those times that bring sleepless nights are not good for the health. Facing them head on brings a sense of accomplishment and relief. Facing and not running away from them is the way to go. So why are you waiting? Get going and solve that problem.

GETTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF A PROBLEM TO THE TOP

Things always look different from the bottom. There are times in our lives we feel at the bottom of whatever problem we are facing. Like a climb up the stairs or a big tower, one step at a time. Watch for those people in your life that want to give a hand up. Accept help as it is offered. Remember you may be the one offering someone help another time. Visualize being at the top of your game. Think through ways of solving your problems- one problem at a time. Sometimes it may not even be a problem, just a glitch in your life! While conquering those situations, look for the positives in your life! What is working well! What do you have going for you! Are there parts of the problem that can be solved now!

Someone may be looking out for you that you may not even be aware. Look to your faith! Positive energy attracts good things. Keep your head up to notice everything around you!

Hopefully those issues will go over the Falls and be swept away for the day to be a joyous one!

REACHING THE DISTANT SHORE

Do you ever look across the water and think how you would get to the other side? Swim? A rowboat? A canoe? A speed boat? Sometimes it much farther than  imagined! Like our dreams and goals in life! Do we stop or try to reach the distant shore! Sometimes we could go around by land and still reach the other side! It has been said "many roads lead to Rome"! Well more than one solution helps us reach the other side! Just don't let a barrier hold us back!

TURN NEGATIVE THOUGHTS INTO POSITIVE ACTIONS

The stresses and painful situations that present in our lives can drag us down. By refusing to succumb to negativity by wallowing in self pity, a wonderful thing can happen. Solutions, positive ones can begin to emerge. No, the hardships do not disappear, but action that can support the situation with meaning and some needed control present itself. My world includes- dealing with painful muscles needing a trip to the doctor for an anti-inflammatory. Use an umbrella on a rainy day. Make a sandwich for lunch out of yesterday's leftover turkey. Let the old folks have some more time together even if in the hospital while awaiting the Nursing Home! Fix what needs fixing in the house to get it ready for the day it goes on the market! Not today- but within the next couple of years. One small thing at a time! What about you? Finish the projects that are on the go- have the good feeling you did it! Work on the relationships in your life! Call a friend and arrange a time together! Be good to yourself! Take time to eat nutritionally, exercise the body and the mind, get rid of toxic people and situations, and reach out to touch the universe! Get out of your comfort zone! Take a risk! The greatest fear is fear itself- someone once said. Negative thoughts keep us treading water instead of swimming to shore, drying ourselves off and beginning a new journey! Are you ready to begin anew? Are you searching for the positive thoughts in your life? Are you starting to find solutions to your problems?